The level of love you have for your cat is clear, but do you still feel a tad guilty about their cat furniture? Are you trying to avoid feeling like a crazy cat person by not adding more cat items? Finding the right balance of cat furniture can be a struggle. As cat lovers, we’re often tempted to spoil our cats but you really just need to make sure their needs are met with cat furniture that they actually use. Cats require space to call their own so here are some tips from The Refined Feline on how to fulfill your cat’s needs with cat furniture.
Provide Stimulation For Your Cat
Cats are relatively low maintenance compared to dogs, but that doesn’t mean they require anything. Seeing your cat sleeping all day, you may wonder when they’ll actually get around to playing. Cats do indeed get bursts of energy multiple times a day when they’re usually in hunting mode. Cats’ energy and natural instincts need to be satisfied every day. Indoor cats don’t really have anything to hunt, but you can help with that! Buying toy mice and catnip toys will draw your cat in to play. If your cat bores easily, purchase battery-operated toys that will move and interest your cat more.
Aim for at least an hour every day of playtime with your cat to keep them stimulated and engaged. Try to space the playtime into 15-minute rounds throughout the day, but workaround when your cat is playful. The perfect toy for engaging your cat’s hunting instincts are wand toys. By pretending the wand toy is their prey, your cats will chase, bat, and pounce on the toys. Having a few different types of toys will let your cat go wild and show you their preferences. Remember to switch out the toys every couple of days to keep your cat’s interest piqued. This will avoid your home from getting littered with toys every time you throw new ones out for playtime!
Another important activity to keep your cat mentally engaged concerns the food bowl. No matter if your cat’s food is wet, dry, or both, it takes away your cat’s need to work. The solution: use a food puzzle for their meals instead! This will force them to think in order to get their food, requiring more mental energy. It will also slow them down when eating, which can decrease vomiting if your cat typically eats too fast. Food puzzles are available in multiple shapes and difficulty levels and will work for wet or dry kibble. It’s a great way to help your cat lose weight as well.
Create A Safe And Visually Appealing Litter Box Space
Everyone knows that cats need a litter box but they also need to feel safe and secure when using it. You should have at least one litter box per cat and some experts even recommend an extra one on top of that! You should also put the litter box in a quiet area without a lot of foot traffic. Finding appropriate places for the litter box can be tough especially in a smaller home. There are many ways you can hide them in your home though and also reduce the odor. One way is by using a modern litter box enclosure. The Refined Feline designs customizable litter box cabinets that you wouldn’t even know have a litter box inside! They also feature slots for carbon filters in the back that get rid of odors.
Offer Vertical Space To Your Cat
Cats need tall vertical spaces, as it provides a sense of comfort when encountering new activities. Cats need the ability to climb as well! They’ve probably already explored your home from top to bottom. They will keep getting into high spots if they don’t have a tall place for themselves. Purchase a stable and tall cat tower or tree to give them a safe and fun area to play. It will also be a spot for your cat to relax and sleep. Your cat may require an escape from the dogs or the children, and the cat tree will be their number one spot.
Provide Scratching Posts For Your Cat
Another important factor for cats is fulfilling their natural scratching instincts. Cats love to stretch and often do this while they are scratching, thus a tall post is ideal. Scratching also helps loosen their old nail sheaths, keeping their nails healthy and fresh. Cats have scent glands in between their paw pads, and when they scratch they’re also marking territory. After scratching it will leave behind a scent, allowing other cats to smell where they’ve been. Not having a proper location for scratching means that cats will turn to your furniture. To help avoid this disaster, it’s a good idea to buy a couple of suitable scratching surfaces for your cat. A vertical one for stretching, and a horizontal surface as well, both of which are available at most stores.
If you’re wanting a clutter-free home but also something for your cat, the options are limitless! From cat towers to scratchers to toys, there’s bound to be a product that will blend right in with your home while fulfilling your cat’s desires. Today’s modern designs will have your home cat-friendly without ruining your aesthetic.
